(qlmbusinessnews.com . Mon 22nd Sep, 2025) London, UK —
Heidi Alexander Approves Gatwick's Runway, Aiming to Double Passenger Traffic
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has greenlit the construction of an additional runway at London Gatwick Airport in a bid to foster economic expansion.
The project, with an estimated cost of £2.2bn and financed privately, includes primarily relocating the current Northern Runway 12 metres to facilitate its regular usage. Additional upgrades encompass the enlargement of terminal areas.
Gatwick Airport officials argue that the expansion will generate employment opportunities and stimulate the local economy. Nonetheless, the proposal has encountered persistent objections from environmental campaigners and local groups concerned about its potential negative environmental and social impacts.
Presently facilitating approximately 280,000 flights annually, Gatwick Airport anticipates the expansion could increase this figure to roughly 389,000 by the late 2030s.
A source within the government labelled the project a “crucial catalyst for growth,” suggesting that “the inauguration of a new full-fledged runway at Gatwick might coincide with the forthcoming general election.”
Gatwick Airport, situated in West Sussex, holds the title of Europe's busiest single-runway airport, serving over 40 million passengers each year.
Under Alexander's approval, an immediate addition of 40,000 flights would be implemented before the second runway's activation, followed by an increase of 70,000 flights—nearly 190 daily—upon its full operation.
The expansion is expected to potentially double passenger traffic to 80 million.
The Northern Runway, currently utilised for taxiing or as a secondary option, will be deployed for short-haul flights post-expansion, thereby augmenting the capacity for more long-distance flights from the primary runway.
Originally anticipated in February, the decision underwent delays due to the Transport Secretary's statement of being “minded to grant consent” pending further consultations.
Subsequently, Gatwick Airport committed to implementing stricter noise control measures, enhancing insulation for nearby homes, and achieving a 54% public transport usage rate by air travellers before the new runway's launch.
Achievement of these objectives necessitates collaborative efforts from various stakeholders, including the Department for Transport, which is urged to restore the Gatwick Express's full service—a service previously reduced due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Furthermore, Gatwick Airport proposed a vehicle traffic cap as a contingency strategy to mitigate potential congestion issues, should the public transport usage target fall short prior to the runway's initial operation.
The project’s commencement hinges on the completion of £350m worth of road infrastructure improvements to ensure traffic flow and prevent congestion, the airport stipulated.
The government has been lauded for its efforts to navigate through the “intricately complex planning systems,” with the promise of future reforms to streamline processes.
“Each airport expansion will proceed in accordance with the UK's stringent environmental regulations and our overarching commitment to climate change,” affirmed a government representative.
The Labour Party’s Chris Curtis commended the decision, calling for “radical planning reform” to facilitate future development initiatives more efficiently.
Despite the broad support, the expansion plan faces substantial criticism from environmental groups, citing potential detrimental effects on local communities, air quality, noise levels, and global climate objectives.
Stay Grounded’s spokesperson, Hannah Lawrence, alongside leaders from the Green Party and Greenpeace UK, underscored the urgent need to halt airport expansions and invest in sustainable transport alternatives to mitigate the climate crisis.
The New Economics Foundation voiced scepticism about the project's ability to genuinely create new employment, suggesting it would merely displace jobs across the nation.
Sharon Graham of Unite the Union advocated for the expansion provided it ensures “well-paid, unionised employment and adequate facilities for workers.”
Community groups, led by Sally Pavey of CAGNE, have expressed their intention to challenge the expansion through judicial review, citing unresolved concerns regarding noise pollution, traffic, air quality, and climate change.
This approval follows recent green lights for other UK airport expansions, including Luton, with the government also backing plans for a controversial third runway at Heathrow Airport, marking an ongoing trend in aviation infrastructure development amidst environmental and social debates.
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